How much calories does everyone eat?

babybellyfat
babybellyfat Posts: 1,102 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Mfp says 1200 but u find it’s so low
And I’m always hungry. I wonder if I change that will I lose weight? I’m 42
4 feet 8, weight 100.4 what do u all think? How much cal do u eat per day?

Replies

  • BarbaraHelen2013
    BarbaraHelen2013 Posts: 1,940 Member
    edited August 2019
    How many calories other people eat is largely irrelevant. People of different heights, weights, ages, genders, activity levels, medical conditions etc etc will need different amounts of calories.

    I imagine you’re posting here because you want to lose some weight? Have you set up MFP to calculate your calorie needs based on a sensible approach? You’re very small already so you’re not going to be able to lose more than half a pound a week, if that! I can’t imagine that you’re looking to lose more than a few vanity pounds at that weight.

    Edit to add - just crossed my mind that the 100.4 might be kg, not pounds as I first assumed. You’re going to have to clarify that before any meaningful advice can be given!
  • brittanystebbins95
    brittanystebbins95 Posts: 567 Member
    Between 1600-1800.
    I think I have MFP set up at 1700 right now, but sometimes I'll only be within range of my number depending on how hungry I am.
    I'm 5'6" and almost 24, and I have a pretty active job and run at least once or twice a week, and lift weights almost daily.
  • JennJ323
    JennJ323 Posts: 646 Member
    edited August 2019
    1200 a day if I'm working on losing
    1400-1600 a day if I'm maintaining

    I'm 5'2" and 124lb
  • lalalacroix
    lalalacroix Posts: 834 Member
    I started with 1,300 calories and realized that was way too low for me. I raised it to 1,500 then 1,600 and now lose weight eating 1,700-1,800 calories. I've lost 56 pounds and only have a few to go.

    I don't believe in being miserable during weight loss. You could always bump up your calories a bit and then give yourself 4-6 weeks to see if you are still losing at a healthy rate.
  • MikePTY
    MikePTY Posts: 3,814 Member
    What is your goal? MFP gives you 1200 because that is the lowest it will give you, but the truth is with your height, if you are sedentary, 1200 is actually your maintenance calories. Your BMR is 973 calories.

    You are right in the middle of a healthy weight range of your height, so you may be better off trying to maintain your weight and re-composition your body rather than lose weight. You do this by doing strength training and you should slowly gain muscle and lose fat. If you exercise, you will get additional calories that you can eat back.
  • MikePTY
    MikePTY Posts: 3,814 Member
    I eat 2250 a day to lose 1 pound, but I am a 5'11, 196 pound 33 year old male who is active. So it is a very different situation.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    babybellyfat wrote: »
    Mfp says 1200 but u find it’s so low
    And I’m always hungry. I wonder if I change that will I lose weight? I’m 42
    4 feet 8, weight 100.4 what do u all think? How much cal do u eat per day?

    My OH and I used to split pizzas before I realized this was silly - he is a foot taller than me and needs more calories.

    Likewise, I am a lot taller than you, and if your weight of 100.4 is pounds, a lot heavier than you, so my calorie allowance is not relevant to you.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    I'm a foot taller than you. My calories are going to be irrelevant.

    You will get more calories the more active you are. Try taking a couple of walks per day or doing something that helps bump up your daily calories.
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    edited August 2019
    You're already in an optimal BMI range for your height, assuming we are talking pounds and not kilograms. Given your stats, I am extremely confident that you'd need to eat 1200 calories per day to lose weight if you are sedentary. It's possible that you'd even be maintaining at 1200. And, if you're not maintaining at 1200, then I would expect your weight loss to be extremely slow because you are so small. Your stats just do not support a very large deficit.

    In addition, if you lose more weight, the calories you will get in maintenance will also decrease. You need to consider not only how many calories you can eat in weight loss, but also whether you will be able to maintain a lower weight happily. For reference, I am just under 5 feet, maintaining at 110-115 at 1400 not counting exercise. Since you are shorter, older, and lighter than me, your maintenance calorie goal would already be lower than mine, and it will be even lower if you lose more weight.

    Having said all that, if you're unhappy with your appearance, I would strongly suggest recomp rather than weight loss.
  • MoKaaz
    MoKaaz Posts: 162 Member
    As I am 5'4", when I was at 174.5 lbs it gave me 1200 as I wanted to lose faster. I find that if you are picking the right types of food (not a lot of empty calories like ice cream or candy) then you should find yourself feeling fuller and more content. Another way is to eat distinguished meals rather than snacking throughout the day.
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,464 Member
    I usually eat way too many. That’s why I’m tracking them now and trying to eat a little less.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    babybellyfat wrote: »
    Mfp says 1200 but u find it’s so low
    And I’m always hungry. I wonder if I change that will I lose weight? I’m 42
    4 feet 8, weight 100.4 what do u all think? How much cal do u eat per day?

    It depends on height, weight, age and physical activity. If you really need to further lower you weight, given where you start and your age, unless you are physically active, 1200 sounds more like your maintenance that something that will let you lose. I am taller and 40 lbs heavier than you and unless I exercise, I very slowly lose at 1200, my maintenance when not physically active is barely 1400-1500.
  • babybellyfat
    babybellyfat Posts: 1,102 Member
    Thank you everyone ❤️
  • Pipsqueak1965
    Pipsqueak1965 Posts: 397 Member
    I'm short too - about 5 foot, and weigh around 105 pounds. My maintenance is somewhere around 16-1700 calories (not eating back any exercise).

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